England in India: Brendon McCullum’s team batted in first T20 of the new era

After his transformative impact on the Test side, McCullum’s arrival as white-ball coach has been widely anticipated, with England hoping he can revive a team that has lost ground by giving up two world titles in the past two years.

The New Zealander’s attacking approach has drawn criticism at times. However, this was a result of England’s oldest weakness rather than any tactical misstep.

While left-arm seamer Arshdeep struck twice early on, it was spin that brought about their collapse from 65-2 in the eighth over.

Only Buttler, at his classical and uninventive best, hitting eight fours and two sixes, seemed able to pick Chakravarthy’s mystery.

Brook and Livingstone were bowled by his googlies and thereafter the only boundaries were hit by the England skipper until one by Adil Rashid in the 19th over.

Bethell and Atkinson in particular chewed up deliveries and were unable to give Buttler the strike. Overton was caught and Atkinson bumped left-arm spinner Axar, who backed Chakravarthy with 2-22.

The fielding and catching was also top class by a youthful India, without many of their big names from last year’s World Cup win.

Mark Wood was run out off the last ball of the innings and England were never going to get enough on a decent pitch.